Mike Slive (L), poses with Bernie Machen, Brady Deaton and Mike Alden at the announcement that Missouri would join the SEC (photo/2011)

Mike Slive (L), poses with Bernie Machen, Brady Deaton and Mike Alden at the announcement that Missouri would join the SEC (photo/2011)

Mike Slive announced Tuesday afternoon that he will retire as commissioner of the Southeastern Conference on July 31, 2015, after 13 years of service.  He also stated he is beginning treatment for a recurrence of prostate cancer for which he was treated in the late 1990s.

“I have been blessed in more ways than I can count and I will have as much passion for this job on my last day as I did on my first,” said Slive. “I consider my health situation a temporary detour in a remarkable road that has allowed me to meet amazing people, experience incredible events and celebrate historic victories. I will relish my final year in this position and look forward to being the biggest fan of the SEC for many years to come.”

His medical condition was diagnosed subsequent to a surgical procedure on his back in August of this year. His prognosis is good and he will continue to carry out his responsibilities from the SEC Office and his home office in Birmingham. It is anticipated that his travel and appearances may be limited for the near future.

Following his retirement, Slive will serve in the role of consultant to the conference for a period of four years.

Missouri Director of Athletics Mike Alden released a statement.

“Mike Slive is one of the top leaders in all of sport in the country. He is a visionary, a consensus builder, someone who is focused on the student-athlete and who represents college athletics with courage, character and dignity. We have been fortunate to have his guiding hand with the Southeastern Conference and NCAA governance. Personally, he has been a special advisor, mentor, supporter and friend. He has made a historical impact on the SEC and college sports. We all thank Mike and Liz for their tireless commitment and wish them all the best in this next chapter in their lives.”

Slive has overseen unprecedented championship success with seven consecutive Bowl Championship Series national titles in football. In all, the SEC has won 67 national championships in 15 of its 21 sponsored sports during Slive’s tenure as SEC Commissioner.

Since joining the SEC, Slive has served as coordinator of the Bowl Championship Series (2006-08) and served as chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee (2008-09). In 2002-03, Slive served on the Commission of Athletics Opportunity, established by the United States Secretary of Education to review the workings of Title IX.

Slive served as chair of the first NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee and was chair of the National Letter of Intent Steering Committee. He served as president of the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA) from 2001-03, was also on the NCAA Management Council from 1997-2004 and is the former chair of the Board of Directors of NCAA Football USA.

Slive previously was the first commissioner of Conference USA from 1995-2002 and was the first commissioner of the Great Midwest Conference upon its founding in 1991.

A native of Utica, N.Y., Slive graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962. He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia Law School in 1965 and an LLM from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1966.